It's Black what else would I name It?
D-Y, Keats and Mama worked diligently on the fences for a few days. Mama and Keats went out to pick up new boards from Home Depot (because of course the boards we had picked up were way too narrow). Why doesn't anything ever go as planned with our projects? Keats and Mama had finally moved the goats into the two medium sized stalls in the barn and out of the chicken coop area. When we came home there was D-Y playing with a new black kitten. The little guy could not be more than 8 months old. "I named him Negro ... cause he is black ... get it?" (another day we went off to the kid's dentist and Mama explained about the new kitten ... a lovely Spanish speaking receptionist said "How about Negrito?" which Mama finds less offencive.) Akita went a whole nuther route and calls him "Nero" and you know he showed up that day and never left.
And right away the trouble started ...
As we said above ... Keats and Mama had finally moved the goats into the bigger stalls. Dave, Delilah and Mira in one and Juliet, Lily and KneePad in the other.
*The Bigger Buck, Dave showed us a flaw in the barn doors by Butting one of the Does, Mira, out of the side door. He Butted her so hard that she pushed the door open - forward like a flap over an opening. She was then stuck outside in the pasture with no way for her to get back in.
*We then let the dogs loose in the pasture so they could check the fencing for "escape routes" ... they did a good job and didn't find any ... so we decided to let the goats out to meet the dogs.
More Trouble brews ...
*Mac, our loving Pomeranian/Ts hi Tsui/Coyote cross dog .... we thought would love the goats. He immediately kicked into Coyote mode ... singled out and chased the smallest of the goats, Lily. Grabbing her by the back of her neck ... He flipped her over onto her back. Okay this was not good ... so D-Y caught Mac and took him in the house.
*Finn, our "kinda dumb" Corgi/Shelty cross dog ... we thought would not be good with the goats. Finn was confused but his Shelty Blood kicked into gear and he began to herd the goats. He just didn't know what else to do with them ... so he herded them into the barn and back out of the barn and then he herded them into the barn and back out of the barn. At least he didn't appear to want to hurt them in anyway. But this was not really helpful behaviour so Finn was taken back into the house.
And the fences ???
They seemed good enough to hold the six goats in the pasture area. We were wrong. Mama and Akita put the goats out in the pasture and left to visit a new Goat. We had decided to put our "Buck - Dave" up for sale on Craigslist and buy a Dairy Goat so that we could start milking the Goats in the Spring. As fortune would have it ... we found some Nigerian Dwarfs, and a La Mancha Doe. When we looked them up in our "Goat Manuals" ... it seemed that both kinds produced milk after kidding (having a baby or two). Malika was visiting us so we took a drive out to Stave Falls area to view the La Mancha doe. They also had a homemade milking stand up for sale. Mama had been trying to figure out how to build one for as long as we had talked about milking goats. Malika was staying with us for the weekend so we picked her up and headed off to Stave Lake area to check out the La Mancha Doe. Arriving at a very pretty well kept property ... we met a lovely Ginger haired girl named Catherine. She showed us her La Mancha Goats, and her sister's Silkie Chickens (they were Red Silkies ... which we didn't even know existed). Her La Mancha's were kept separate "boys and girls". She had a lovely young black buckling in one stall and three or four does in the other stall. The Goats were a bit odd looking because they looked like they had "No Ears". They really had very small buds for ears. They were a bit skittish but brave enough to eat out of Catherine's hands. We had a small discussion and decided to take home the lovely Chocolate Doe. We said we would be back tomorrow afternoon to pick up the Milking Stand and Doe. We figured we better go off and rent a UHaul as our Trailer was full of a Thousand Pound "do-it-yourself Chicken Barn" in the middle of the pasture (a tale for another day). The Day wasn't over yet, but we will save the rest of this tale for another day.
Thanks for Reading and Welcome to our Barns,
The Lims
Saturday 20 October 2012
Wednesday 10 October 2012
The Lims Miss Cityview
Some of you know what's coming .. for the rest ... Get your Kleenex Boxes Handy ...
Oh What a Very Dark Day until Love lit a Match
July 21st, 2007 was the saddest day in the lives of the Lims. For those of you who don't know ... Kenny (Dada Bear to his 3 little mice and Soul Mate to Mama Bear) lost his life rescuing D-Y (Boy warrior in this tale). The Lim family went on a Cross-Canada camping trip and were on the way home. Stopping at Rainbow Falls, Ontario for an overnight. What a lovely name for a campsite and for such tragedy to strike. Mama & Malika did laundry and D-Y, Akita and Kenny played in the currents in Lake Superior. Somehow D-Y got caught in an undertow and Kenny went in after him. D-Y was pulled from the Lake by a Stranger and Kenny drowned. Many people, even complete strangers helped the remaining Lim family escape Ontario, including Kenny's two brothers, Randy (Developer/Contractor of Million Dollar buildings) and Donald (all around fantastic guy). How would we go on ?? It was the darkest day when Mama and her three mice arrived at the Vancouver Airport. As we exited the plane into the baggage area ... Love surrounded and supported us. 19 people from Cityview Baptist Church were there to greet us. Ignoring the "stay behind the barriers" signs ... they surrounded our small family and Mama felt the embers of her soul re-light while she was transported back home. These loving people carried us through the next few weeks, and months ... feeding us ... contacting others for us and arranging the biggest Memorial service our church had ever seen. Kenny was loved and the Love of the Cityview People and our Lord spilled over and overflowed our souls. That is not to leave out the other friends and family who came over and just sort of "stayed close". Some having known Cynthia for many years ... helped her out of bed each day, supported her in every way, and just plain held her when she cried. We believe Kenny is in Heaven with those others we have misplaced along the way. We see him in every mixed up colourful sunset and we hear him with every Guitar playing. Mama and her three (Not so little anymore) Mice thank you Cityview and friends for all your support and Love. Kenny will still be loved and will Never be Forgotten.
Okay Now You Know ...
Since Moving to Abbotsford ... the Lims have wanted to find a church to call home ... we know we won't find a "Cityview" but one where we can be comfortable would be nice. We may not be the most fashionable family ... well except for Malika that is. So we wanted to find a church who would accept us as we are. We had driven by a smaller church building on Gladwin St. in Matsqui area. I won't name the church, but some of you will know the one I mean. We planned to visit it the next Sunday. When Sunday arrived Mama threw a very sleepy D-Y in the car and off we went to Akita's Riding lesson. Finishing up earlier than usual we hurried off to the 10:30 am service. Pulling up in the parking lot we noticed right away how the families were dressed ... Boys, even little boys had on button up shirts, and some even had ties and bow ties. Girls, were dressed in skirts and dresses without exception. Mama heard her Mother in her head as she walked forward to the front stairs "you can wear a gunny sack to a formal ball as long as you have the right attitude". Well with "attitude" we entered the church building. First off Akita went in search of the ladies room, and D-Y in search of the men's room. Mama turned around as she heard someone say "Cynthia ... is that you?" How had my reputation already proceeded me? Towards me came a lovely looking lady followed by 6 well dressed and well-mannered young girls walking in pairs. "I should know you" was all Mama could say. The Lady explained that she was the wife of the Pastor of David's church. David is Mama's brother (writer of Sci Fi novels, husband of Laura, and father of two lovely daughters). Just then the pastor showed up with a well dressed young son in tow. Introductions were made or re-made and they told us that they were on holidays, and always loved to visit this church. David had mentioned that we were looking for a Baptist Church in Abbotsford ... so she had kept an eye open for us. Akita arrived and a woman followed her with 2 girls around Akita's age. The woman apologised to me, and said she had complemented Akita on her riding breeches, because her daughter used to ride too. I guess she thought she had offended Akita by mentioning that she was wearing "pants" to church. She obviously didn't know Akita. We found a pew in the back row and waited for D-Y to arrive. The service had just started when D-Y kind of slunk in and ducked down into the row. He sat sort of scrunched down so that his back was not showing. Mama whispered for him to sit up, which he did for about a minute and then hunched back down. The Sermon was kinda of "three points and a poem" as Mama's Dad would say. Mama's Dad is a retired Baptist Minister (82 years old and full of life). After the service the pastor greeted us at the door and off we went to the car. Mama asked someone what version of the Bible they used "King James Version". It was then that Mama and Akita learned the reason for D-Y's strange sitting actions ... The back of D-Y's T-Shirt was a gecko that said "Bite Me". Oh well ... this is who we are and we did not feel "the comfort zone" in this nice ... maybe a little "too nice" Church.
Off to Try Another Version ...
After meeting Tracey (super terrific storyteller), D-Y liked her immediately. We had lunch with Tracey and her Mother one Sunday afternoon shortly after moving to Abbotsford. Tracey told us that her church had a 5pm Saturday Mass. Just because we are not really morning people ... well except for Akita ... we decided to give it a try. Mama texted Tracey and Allison (super fantastic Spa Lady) and asked if they would meet us at the Catholic Church. A friend was staying with us and so was Malika the following Friday night. They said they would love to try out the Mass with us ... so off we went on the Saturday afternoon. The parking lot was very busy as the church was just wrapping up their community fair. There was Tracey though, Happily saving us a spot in the lot. Into the building we went ... all six of us ... looking like a bunch of storm troopers. We found a row and filled it. Tracey leaned over past all the kids and whispered "your Cheat Sheet" while waving a laminated card in our direction. We pulled out our cards from the front pocket of our pews. I explained to the kids to just follow along as well as we could ... sit when they sit ... stand when they stand. We followed our "Cue Cards" and Mama even noticed that the woman beside her had a whole book of "Cues". Mama thought to herself "If I come back here ... I am getting one of those". The sermon was interesting as the Priest had just returned from a "Pilgrimage" and he used lots of humour when speaking. The Lim Family followed along as well as we could, Mama was worried if she kneeled ... she might not get back up. After the mass, we were invited to an international dinner ... $2 per country with many countries represented ... Ukraine had perogies ... Mexico had burritos and D-Y and Mama fell in love with the Sudanese Doughnut Holes. Alison, her husband, Brian (a Scotsman who Rrrolls his Rrr's still), and their son Decklan (hope I spelled that right) joined us at our dinner table. Brian told us it was "his penance" to have to talk with an accent. The kids enjoyed trying all the different foods, and the adults chatted happily (Never a dull moment at our table ... we even had a lovely Nun join us for a bit). All too soon ... it was time for home. Mama thanked Alison and Tracey for "dinner and a show" and we vowed to return again soon. Though we had enjoyed ourselves immensely .. we still hadn't found the "right spark". Our quest continues and so does our tale ....
Thanks for reading and Welcome to our Barns,
The Lims
Oh What a Very Dark Day until Love lit a Match
July 21st, 2007 was the saddest day in the lives of the Lims. For those of you who don't know ... Kenny (Dada Bear to his 3 little mice and Soul Mate to Mama Bear) lost his life rescuing D-Y (Boy warrior in this tale). The Lim family went on a Cross-Canada camping trip and were on the way home. Stopping at Rainbow Falls, Ontario for an overnight. What a lovely name for a campsite and for such tragedy to strike. Mama & Malika did laundry and D-Y, Akita and Kenny played in the currents in Lake Superior. Somehow D-Y got caught in an undertow and Kenny went in after him. D-Y was pulled from the Lake by a Stranger and Kenny drowned. Many people, even complete strangers helped the remaining Lim family escape Ontario, including Kenny's two brothers, Randy (Developer/Contractor of Million Dollar buildings) and Donald (all around fantastic guy). How would we go on ?? It was the darkest day when Mama and her three mice arrived at the Vancouver Airport. As we exited the plane into the baggage area ... Love surrounded and supported us. 19 people from Cityview Baptist Church were there to greet us. Ignoring the "stay behind the barriers" signs ... they surrounded our small family and Mama felt the embers of her soul re-light while she was transported back home. These loving people carried us through the next few weeks, and months ... feeding us ... contacting others for us and arranging the biggest Memorial service our church had ever seen. Kenny was loved and the Love of the Cityview People and our Lord spilled over and overflowed our souls. That is not to leave out the other friends and family who came over and just sort of "stayed close". Some having known Cynthia for many years ... helped her out of bed each day, supported her in every way, and just plain held her when she cried. We believe Kenny is in Heaven with those others we have misplaced along the way. We see him in every mixed up colourful sunset and we hear him with every Guitar playing. Mama and her three (Not so little anymore) Mice thank you Cityview and friends for all your support and Love. Kenny will still be loved and will Never be Forgotten.
Okay Now You Know ...
Since Moving to Abbotsford ... the Lims have wanted to find a church to call home ... we know we won't find a "Cityview" but one where we can be comfortable would be nice. We may not be the most fashionable family ... well except for Malika that is. So we wanted to find a church who would accept us as we are. We had driven by a smaller church building on Gladwin St. in Matsqui area. I won't name the church, but some of you will know the one I mean. We planned to visit it the next Sunday. When Sunday arrived Mama threw a very sleepy D-Y in the car and off we went to Akita's Riding lesson. Finishing up earlier than usual we hurried off to the 10:30 am service. Pulling up in the parking lot we noticed right away how the families were dressed ... Boys, even little boys had on button up shirts, and some even had ties and bow ties. Girls, were dressed in skirts and dresses without exception. Mama heard her Mother in her head as she walked forward to the front stairs "you can wear a gunny sack to a formal ball as long as you have the right attitude". Well with "attitude" we entered the church building. First off Akita went in search of the ladies room, and D-Y in search of the men's room. Mama turned around as she heard someone say "Cynthia ... is that you?" How had my reputation already proceeded me? Towards me came a lovely looking lady followed by 6 well dressed and well-mannered young girls walking in pairs. "I should know you" was all Mama could say. The Lady explained that she was the wife of the Pastor of David's church. David is Mama's brother (writer of Sci Fi novels, husband of Laura, and father of two lovely daughters). Just then the pastor showed up with a well dressed young son in tow. Introductions were made or re-made and they told us that they were on holidays, and always loved to visit this church. David had mentioned that we were looking for a Baptist Church in Abbotsford ... so she had kept an eye open for us. Akita arrived and a woman followed her with 2 girls around Akita's age. The woman apologised to me, and said she had complemented Akita on her riding breeches, because her daughter used to ride too. I guess she thought she had offended Akita by mentioning that she was wearing "pants" to church. She obviously didn't know Akita. We found a pew in the back row and waited for D-Y to arrive. The service had just started when D-Y kind of slunk in and ducked down into the row. He sat sort of scrunched down so that his back was not showing. Mama whispered for him to sit up, which he did for about a minute and then hunched back down. The Sermon was kinda of "three points and a poem" as Mama's Dad would say. Mama's Dad is a retired Baptist Minister (82 years old and full of life). After the service the pastor greeted us at the door and off we went to the car. Mama asked someone what version of the Bible they used "King James Version". It was then that Mama and Akita learned the reason for D-Y's strange sitting actions ... The back of D-Y's T-Shirt was a gecko that said "Bite Me". Oh well ... this is who we are and we did not feel "the comfort zone" in this nice ... maybe a little "too nice" Church.
Off to Try Another Version ...
After meeting Tracey (super terrific storyteller), D-Y liked her immediately. We had lunch with Tracey and her Mother one Sunday afternoon shortly after moving to Abbotsford. Tracey told us that her church had a 5pm Saturday Mass. Just because we are not really morning people ... well except for Akita ... we decided to give it a try. Mama texted Tracey and Allison (super fantastic Spa Lady) and asked if they would meet us at the Catholic Church. A friend was staying with us and so was Malika the following Friday night. They said they would love to try out the Mass with us ... so off we went on the Saturday afternoon. The parking lot was very busy as the church was just wrapping up their community fair. There was Tracey though, Happily saving us a spot in the lot. Into the building we went ... all six of us ... looking like a bunch of storm troopers. We found a row and filled it. Tracey leaned over past all the kids and whispered "your Cheat Sheet" while waving a laminated card in our direction. We pulled out our cards from the front pocket of our pews. I explained to the kids to just follow along as well as we could ... sit when they sit ... stand when they stand. We followed our "Cue Cards" and Mama even noticed that the woman beside her had a whole book of "Cues". Mama thought to herself "If I come back here ... I am getting one of those". The sermon was interesting as the Priest had just returned from a "Pilgrimage" and he used lots of humour when speaking. The Lim Family followed along as well as we could, Mama was worried if she kneeled ... she might not get back up. After the mass, we were invited to an international dinner ... $2 per country with many countries represented ... Ukraine had perogies ... Mexico had burritos and D-Y and Mama fell in love with the Sudanese Doughnut Holes. Alison, her husband, Brian (a Scotsman who Rrrolls his Rrr's still), and their son Decklan (hope I spelled that right) joined us at our dinner table. Brian told us it was "his penance" to have to talk with an accent. The kids enjoyed trying all the different foods, and the adults chatted happily (Never a dull moment at our table ... we even had a lovely Nun join us for a bit). All too soon ... it was time for home. Mama thanked Alison and Tracey for "dinner and a show" and we vowed to return again soon. Though we had enjoyed ourselves immensely .. we still hadn't found the "right spark". Our quest continues and so does our tale ....
Thanks for reading and Welcome to our Barns,
The Lims
Sunday 7 October 2012
Kid Pick Up vs. Goat Herding
Lily Joins The Lims
The following Saturday was filled with friends, family and new challenges. Late in the afternoon we got a call that we could pick up the Pygmies (we thought it was all three, but only one was available). When we got to the Suburban Neighbourhood with the "park" in the middle ... the gentleman goat owner told us to drive all the way to the bottom of the property. Mama was happy cause she didn't want to walk that hill again. We (Akita, Malika & Mama) drove down a meandering switchback to a lovely flower garden with the goat pasture on the other side. We waited there as we watched the "goat man - Ron" pick up a screaming little goat. He carried her down the hill and put her in the extra large dog carrier that we had brought to carry the three goats. He told us that he had gone out to Aldergrove to pick up the bucklings, but no one was around and he was unable to corral them on his own. He also told us a funny tale about earlier that year ... apparently the fat miniature horse likes to give piggy back rides to the little pygmies. Or they like to stand on her back and she doesn't mind ... one of the two. He said people slow their cars and almost have accidents when they drive by and see what appear to be "floating goats" cause the hill blocks the mini horse from view. He promises to deliver the bucklings the next day when his daughter can help him "corral them". Okay we admit it ... the red light should have gone on ... these two were supposed to be the "tame - petting zoo" goats. We deliver the goat man back up the hill after he cuts a few fresh flowers and gives them to Mama. We bring this squealing little goat home and deliver her to the barn ... in the chicken coop area cause of course we have not yet fixed the fences. Wow for a little goat Lily (a red and white pygmy) was loud "Maaaaaa Maaaaa " ... all Mama could say was "now I have another animal calling my name". We hoped we would soon have some friends for her. We were looking forward to picking up the two Boer Doe sisters the next day (DY who wants nothing to do with the goats .... ha ha .. had already named them Julie and Juliet). Later that afternoon we got a confused return call from the nice "goat lady - Diane" ... apparently because we did not call her on Thursday ... our bad ... she sold one of the sisters to someone else. Oh well ... we say we can pick up the remaining sister anytime and book a time for the afternoon on Sunday.
Mira and Delilah Come Home
Sunday being the next day, Akita and Mama make an executive decision and decide to pick up two goats instead of one from the Cashmere goat herd. We call up Cashmere goat herder - Michael and tell him we would like to take the Black Cashmere doeling, and the white pygmy-cross doe. He agrees ... we haggle a bit on the price and then off we go to Sumas Mountain. DY, Akita and Mama go off to do some "goat herding". When we get to the property ... we drive down onto the pasture, with goat herder - Michael and he and a young boy bring a bag of grain down ... all the goats and the horse wrestle over the feed. We get the truck open and the cage open in time for him to wrangle the Black doeling into the cage. It is quite funny to watch as he and DY trap the white Doe and Michael wrestles her into the cage too. Wow ... what a fighter she is. Michael suggests that we keep in touch and possibly breed Mira with one of his bucks next year (I guess he plans to get more bucks because we don't plan to breed her with her father ... can we just say Yuck!!).
This brings up the subject of Lily and her brother pygmy ... we decide that we will get the brother castrated and let her breed with the other buck. Off we go home with Mira (Black Cashmere) and Delilah (White Pygmy Cross) and they are a lot quieter than Lily was.
Juliet ... The Calmer Goat?
Later mid afternoon ish, Mama and Akita take a drive to Langley to pick up the Boer Doe. As before, Dianne - the goat lady comes out ... grabs a handful of Grape Leaves and calls "here Goats ... Here girls" ... all the goats, a horse and several Chickens run for the fence. We go inside the fence and she grabs the young doe. She lifts her front legs, and kinda half rides and half carries her to the kennel in the truck. After we get her inside ... she starts "bawling ... Maaaaa Maaaa". Almost as loudly as Lily was. Juliet (a chocolate brown headed, white bodied Boer Doe) has no horns ... only bumps on her head. We ask Dianne and she says it is because she "de-horns" them as babies. We pay Dianne and our quickly on our way home.
What a Busy Day and It Isn't Over Yet.
Later that afternoon we get a knock on the door and our two bucklings have arrived. They are a mess and the goat man - Ron and his daughter deliver them to a stall in the barn. They tell us what a nice barn and house we have. We thank them and they tell us that another year they picked up their goats from this same camp and they were covered in Maple Syrup. We should have asked them more about bathing the goats, but we were just too excited to finally have all of our little herd home with us. Akita and Mama get to work as soon as the others leave and hose them off, but we sure have trouble cleaning the bottom of the larger white Pygmy. Once we have them hosed off ... we put them in with the "girls". We have already had to separate Mira and Delilah from Lily as they were bullying her. It was a little better when Juliet arrived, because even though she has no horns ... she spreads her ears out and butts the others off of little Lily. (They have almost a mother-daughter relationship and have been inseparable ever since). We put "Knee Pad" in with Juliet and his sister. He is a lovely red and white coloured pygmy ... a little bigger than Lily. He does this weird walk on his front knees and doesn't really walk properly when his legs are extended. Mama wants to call him "Tiny Tim", but her children say "that's like calling a crippled child crippled". Oh well ... right now he is mostly called "Knee Pad", but Mama still secretly calls him "Tiny Tim". The Larger Buck came with the name "Oscar", but non of us really liked it. He is white with a great Afro on the front of his head. As soon as we put him in with Mira and Delilah ... he started saying "Yuuuup, Yup, Yup, Yup" .. well being Storage Wars fans ... he had his name "Dave ... of Course" and he is turning out to be almost as much of a donkey as the guy from the show. All six goats in the separated stalls of the chicken coop area. We let them outside one side at a time in the glorified dog run, and soo far ... soo good. Now to fix those fences ... Tomorrow.
Thanks for Reading and Welcome to our Barns,
The Lims
The following Saturday was filled with friends, family and new challenges. Late in the afternoon we got a call that we could pick up the Pygmies (we thought it was all three, but only one was available). When we got to the Suburban Neighbourhood with the "park" in the middle ... the gentleman goat owner told us to drive all the way to the bottom of the property. Mama was happy cause she didn't want to walk that hill again. We (Akita, Malika & Mama) drove down a meandering switchback to a lovely flower garden with the goat pasture on the other side. We waited there as we watched the "goat man - Ron" pick up a screaming little goat. He carried her down the hill and put her in the extra large dog carrier that we had brought to carry the three goats. He told us that he had gone out to Aldergrove to pick up the bucklings, but no one was around and he was unable to corral them on his own. He also told us a funny tale about earlier that year ... apparently the fat miniature horse likes to give piggy back rides to the little pygmies. Or they like to stand on her back and she doesn't mind ... one of the two. He said people slow their cars and almost have accidents when they drive by and see what appear to be "floating goats" cause the hill blocks the mini horse from view. He promises to deliver the bucklings the next day when his daughter can help him "corral them". Okay we admit it ... the red light should have gone on ... these two were supposed to be the "tame - petting zoo" goats. We deliver the goat man back up the hill after he cuts a few fresh flowers and gives them to Mama. We bring this squealing little goat home and deliver her to the barn ... in the chicken coop area cause of course we have not yet fixed the fences. Wow for a little goat Lily (a red and white pygmy) was loud "Maaaaaa Maaaaa " ... all Mama could say was "now I have another animal calling my name". We hoped we would soon have some friends for her. We were looking forward to picking up the two Boer Doe sisters the next day (DY who wants nothing to do with the goats .... ha ha .. had already named them Julie and Juliet). Later that afternoon we got a confused return call from the nice "goat lady - Diane" ... apparently because we did not call her on Thursday ... our bad ... she sold one of the sisters to someone else. Oh well ... we say we can pick up the remaining sister anytime and book a time for the afternoon on Sunday.
Mira and Delilah Come Home
Sunday being the next day, Akita and Mama make an executive decision and decide to pick up two goats instead of one from the Cashmere goat herd. We call up Cashmere goat herder - Michael and tell him we would like to take the Black Cashmere doeling, and the white pygmy-cross doe. He agrees ... we haggle a bit on the price and then off we go to Sumas Mountain. DY, Akita and Mama go off to do some "goat herding". When we get to the property ... we drive down onto the pasture, with goat herder - Michael and he and a young boy bring a bag of grain down ... all the goats and the horse wrestle over the feed. We get the truck open and the cage open in time for him to wrangle the Black doeling into the cage. It is quite funny to watch as he and DY trap the white Doe and Michael wrestles her into the cage too. Wow ... what a fighter she is. Michael suggests that we keep in touch and possibly breed Mira with one of his bucks next year (I guess he plans to get more bucks because we don't plan to breed her with her father ... can we just say Yuck!!).
This brings up the subject of Lily and her brother pygmy ... we decide that we will get the brother castrated and let her breed with the other buck. Off we go home with Mira (Black Cashmere) and Delilah (White Pygmy Cross) and they are a lot quieter than Lily was.
Juliet ... The Calmer Goat?
Later mid afternoon ish, Mama and Akita take a drive to Langley to pick up the Boer Doe. As before, Dianne - the goat lady comes out ... grabs a handful of Grape Leaves and calls "here Goats ... Here girls" ... all the goats, a horse and several Chickens run for the fence. We go inside the fence and she grabs the young doe. She lifts her front legs, and kinda half rides and half carries her to the kennel in the truck. After we get her inside ... she starts "bawling ... Maaaaa Maaaa". Almost as loudly as Lily was. Juliet (a chocolate brown headed, white bodied Boer Doe) has no horns ... only bumps on her head. We ask Dianne and she says it is because she "de-horns" them as babies. We pay Dianne and our quickly on our way home.
What a Busy Day and It Isn't Over Yet.
Later that afternoon we get a knock on the door and our two bucklings have arrived. They are a mess and the goat man - Ron and his daughter deliver them to a stall in the barn. They tell us what a nice barn and house we have. We thank them and they tell us that another year they picked up their goats from this same camp and they were covered in Maple Syrup. We should have asked them more about bathing the goats, but we were just too excited to finally have all of our little herd home with us. Akita and Mama get to work as soon as the others leave and hose them off, but we sure have trouble cleaning the bottom of the larger white Pygmy. Once we have them hosed off ... we put them in with the "girls". We have already had to separate Mira and Delilah from Lily as they were bullying her. It was a little better when Juliet arrived, because even though she has no horns ... she spreads her ears out and butts the others off of little Lily. (They have almost a mother-daughter relationship and have been inseparable ever since). We put "Knee Pad" in with Juliet and his sister. He is a lovely red and white coloured pygmy ... a little bigger than Lily. He does this weird walk on his front knees and doesn't really walk properly when his legs are extended. Mama wants to call him "Tiny Tim", but her children say "that's like calling a crippled child crippled". Oh well ... right now he is mostly called "Knee Pad", but Mama still secretly calls him "Tiny Tim". The Larger Buck came with the name "Oscar", but non of us really liked it. He is white with a great Afro on the front of his head. As soon as we put him in with Mira and Delilah ... he started saying "Yuuuup, Yup, Yup, Yup" .. well being Storage Wars fans ... he had his name "Dave ... of Course" and he is turning out to be almost as much of a donkey as the guy from the show. All six goats in the separated stalls of the chicken coop area. We let them outside one side at a time in the glorified dog run, and soo far ... soo good. Now to fix those fences ... Tomorrow.
Thanks for Reading and Welcome to our Barns,
The Lims
Thursday 4 October 2012
The Lims are adding new "Kids"
Howdy y'all ... we're back ...
So our normally chatty family and friends have not left us any comments ... so we decided to trudge forward anyway.
Akita ... the riding begins
One of the major reasons ... for Akita to move was for her to be around Horses. (Eventually to get her own of course). Mama and Akita went in search of riding lessons. We looked up the closest ones to BRB ... and found 3 close to home. We called them and the first one was out of business. The second no longer provided riding lessons ... strictly "horse boarding only", but was currently flooded from the recent Fraser River flooding in the neighbourhood. And the third listed an address on Halpert which was within "bike riding distance" from BRB. True to form though ... they had moved to Mission and were currently moving again. We set up a date to view the "new" location and Jen (new super coach for Akita) took us on a tour. De Novo Training had now moved to a bigger facility in Matsqui area. Not within biking distance, but still within an easy 10 min drive (unless you get stopped at a train crossing for 10+ mins). In preparation for the big move Akita had taken some riding lessons in Langley at the A&T Equestrian Centre. She had even taken a "horse first aid class" ... just in case. She loved the spring camp and did very well according to her coaches. She started her new lessons with Jen, The first Friday in August. Jen was pleasantly surprised at how much Akita already knew as a beginner. Of course anyone who knows Akita would not be surprised at her "quick learning skills". Mama, Jen and Akita all decided that the best course of action would be for Akita to do a "half lease" option. Jen had confidence in Akita's horse grooming skills and tacking up skills (putting on a saddle and bridle) ... so we started with one lesson and two practise lessons per week. Akita has done very well with these lessons even when the added responsibilities of caring for sick cats and new kittens came along. Mama barely rolls herself out of bed and makes a coffee while Akita feeds 2 dogs, 4 inside cats, 5+ barn cats, Momma Cat (Violet), and her 5 kittens (and later 6 goats). Akita was meant to be an early morning child. MamaBear was not.
From Cashmeres ...
Remember the tale of the nesting boxes in Aggasiz ... Mama had decided it was time to get some goats. Now most logical people would study goats for a bit, make them a home, fence the yard properly and then pick up animals. Not Mama ... she often puts the "cart before the horse" or in this case "the Kids before the fencing". Craigslist is hit again and Akita and Mama go out to view some "Cashmere Goats". We drive up Sumas Mountain (near where we had looked at a house to buy last year). The guy selling the goats was nice, but the goats were not very social. The male, Bucky, was said to have one job, and one job only ... to impregnate the females. Apparently he was quite good at his job. The young cashmere (about 4 months or so) was beautiful. Black in colour and looked very soft, although we could not get close enough to touch her or any of the herd in fact. We did learn something important that day though ... if a goat's head fits through a space ... they will make the rest of themselves fit through. They are the escape artists of the herding world. Mama and Akita listened to Bucky as he "sang a little song" or mumbled a little mumble and had a giggle but were not quite convinced that these were the goats for us.
To Pygmies ...
As we drove away we decided to call a few more names on Craigslist. Left a couple of messages and then got through to a young sounding girl in Mission. We followed our GPS into a very suburban looking neighbourhood. One of us said "where would you keep goats here?" and then we turned into what looked like a park entrance. We drove up a driveway to a log cabin and Out came a young woman who led us down a path towards a fenced off area with goats (several kinds) and a really fat miniature horse. We were told that the girl pygmy goat was there and the boys, her brother and another pygmy were at a camp in a petting zoo for the summer. We hoped this would make them really social and we fell in love with the little pygmy girl goat. A big happy dog had come along with us on our walk down the trail. We then headed back "up the trail" with Mama wishing she had driven down there and Akita pushing her back up it. The happy dog trying to help too by pulling on Mama's key chain. Of course the owner of the goats ... an older man came out to greet us as we got back to the truck. Mama was now spluttering and gasping and falling over from the hill walk. She put up one finger and barely caught her breath to say "one minute". They must have really wondered about these crazy city folks wanting goats. We decided to give the girl some money to hold the goats for us. They told us we could pick them up on the following Saturday and they would bring the boys in from Aldergrove. We headed out with the best intentions of working on the fencing to the pasture. We didn't get around to it though. Next we got a return call from a lady in Langley ... she would be home the next day and we could come by and view her lovely lady Boer does. Boer doe ... doesn't it sound fancy like a fine wine.
To Boer Does ...
Another person called back to say that her goats were sold, but we figured we would have enough with the six goats we had in mind. Sunday afternoon and Akita and Mama are off to pick up DY from Scout camp in Vancouver. We stopped into see the Boer Does in Langley on the way. Boy Langley is confusing, even our GPS told us lies. Last year DY and Mama had gone to pick something up in Langley and we got completely turned around in the dark. DY has a really good sense of direction, but Mama is often lost. At the time DY said to Mama "let's not move to Langley okay? ... You will never find your way home." ... He may have been right. Mama and Akita finally find the correct 6th St. and drive up to a nice farm with a pasture full of goats, horses and chickens. We knocked on the door and we met a super nice "goat lady". She calls the goats and they all walk up the fencing where she bribes them with grape leaves. She explains all kinds of interesting facts about goats and even shows us their shelter, hay feeders and grain feeders. We discuss us taking the sister goats and we tell her we need to fix our fences and could pick them up next Sunday which is her next day off. We tell her we can give her cash to hold them for us, and she tells us "No need". We promise to call her on Thursday to tell her how our fencing is coming along, then we are off to pick up DY. After picking up DY ... we tell him that we bought 6 goats. He is not happy, but as a teenage boy ... when is he ??
Which "kids" will we choose ??
Thanks for reading and welcome to our Barns,
The Lims
By the way ... check out our Facebook Page "Lim Farm"
So our normally chatty family and friends have not left us any comments ... so we decided to trudge forward anyway.
Akita ... the riding begins
One of the major reasons ... for Akita to move was for her to be around Horses. (Eventually to get her own of course). Mama and Akita went in search of riding lessons. We looked up the closest ones to BRB ... and found 3 close to home. We called them and the first one was out of business. The second no longer provided riding lessons ... strictly "horse boarding only", but was currently flooded from the recent Fraser River flooding in the neighbourhood. And the third listed an address on Halpert which was within "bike riding distance" from BRB. True to form though ... they had moved to Mission and were currently moving again. We set up a date to view the "new" location and Jen (new super coach for Akita) took us on a tour. De Novo Training had now moved to a bigger facility in Matsqui area. Not within biking distance, but still within an easy 10 min drive (unless you get stopped at a train crossing for 10+ mins). In preparation for the big move Akita had taken some riding lessons in Langley at the A&T Equestrian Centre. She had even taken a "horse first aid class" ... just in case. She loved the spring camp and did very well according to her coaches. She started her new lessons with Jen, The first Friday in August. Jen was pleasantly surprised at how much Akita already knew as a beginner. Of course anyone who knows Akita would not be surprised at her "quick learning skills". Mama, Jen and Akita all decided that the best course of action would be for Akita to do a "half lease" option. Jen had confidence in Akita's horse grooming skills and tacking up skills (putting on a saddle and bridle) ... so we started with one lesson and two practise lessons per week. Akita has done very well with these lessons even when the added responsibilities of caring for sick cats and new kittens came along. Mama barely rolls herself out of bed and makes a coffee while Akita feeds 2 dogs, 4 inside cats, 5+ barn cats, Momma Cat (Violet), and her 5 kittens (and later 6 goats). Akita was meant to be an early morning child. MamaBear was not.
From Cashmeres ...
Remember the tale of the nesting boxes in Aggasiz ... Mama had decided it was time to get some goats. Now most logical people would study goats for a bit, make them a home, fence the yard properly and then pick up animals. Not Mama ... she often puts the "cart before the horse" or in this case "the Kids before the fencing". Craigslist is hit again and Akita and Mama go out to view some "Cashmere Goats". We drive up Sumas Mountain (near where we had looked at a house to buy last year). The guy selling the goats was nice, but the goats were not very social. The male, Bucky, was said to have one job, and one job only ... to impregnate the females. Apparently he was quite good at his job. The young cashmere (about 4 months or so) was beautiful. Black in colour and looked very soft, although we could not get close enough to touch her or any of the herd in fact. We did learn something important that day though ... if a goat's head fits through a space ... they will make the rest of themselves fit through. They are the escape artists of the herding world. Mama and Akita listened to Bucky as he "sang a little song" or mumbled a little mumble and had a giggle but were not quite convinced that these were the goats for us.
To Pygmies ...
As we drove away we decided to call a few more names on Craigslist. Left a couple of messages and then got through to a young sounding girl in Mission. We followed our GPS into a very suburban looking neighbourhood. One of us said "where would you keep goats here?" and then we turned into what looked like a park entrance. We drove up a driveway to a log cabin and Out came a young woman who led us down a path towards a fenced off area with goats (several kinds) and a really fat miniature horse. We were told that the girl pygmy goat was there and the boys, her brother and another pygmy were at a camp in a petting zoo for the summer. We hoped this would make them really social and we fell in love with the little pygmy girl goat. A big happy dog had come along with us on our walk down the trail. We then headed back "up the trail" with Mama wishing she had driven down there and Akita pushing her back up it. The happy dog trying to help too by pulling on Mama's key chain. Of course the owner of the goats ... an older man came out to greet us as we got back to the truck. Mama was now spluttering and gasping and falling over from the hill walk. She put up one finger and barely caught her breath to say "one minute". They must have really wondered about these crazy city folks wanting goats. We decided to give the girl some money to hold the goats for us. They told us we could pick them up on the following Saturday and they would bring the boys in from Aldergrove. We headed out with the best intentions of working on the fencing to the pasture. We didn't get around to it though. Next we got a return call from a lady in Langley ... she would be home the next day and we could come by and view her lovely lady Boer does. Boer doe ... doesn't it sound fancy like a fine wine.
To Boer Does ...
Another person called back to say that her goats were sold, but we figured we would have enough with the six goats we had in mind. Sunday afternoon and Akita and Mama are off to pick up DY from Scout camp in Vancouver. We stopped into see the Boer Does in Langley on the way. Boy Langley is confusing, even our GPS told us lies. Last year DY and Mama had gone to pick something up in Langley and we got completely turned around in the dark. DY has a really good sense of direction, but Mama is often lost. At the time DY said to Mama "let's not move to Langley okay? ... You will never find your way home." ... He may have been right. Mama and Akita finally find the correct 6th St. and drive up to a nice farm with a pasture full of goats, horses and chickens. We knocked on the door and we met a super nice "goat lady". She calls the goats and they all walk up the fencing where she bribes them with grape leaves. She explains all kinds of interesting facts about goats and even shows us their shelter, hay feeders and grain feeders. We discuss us taking the sister goats and we tell her we need to fix our fences and could pick them up next Sunday which is her next day off. We tell her we can give her cash to hold them for us, and she tells us "No need". We promise to call her on Thursday to tell her how our fencing is coming along, then we are off to pick up DY. After picking up DY ... we tell him that we bought 6 goats. He is not happy, but as a teenage boy ... when is he ??
Which "kids" will we choose ??
Thanks for reading and welcome to our Barns,
The Lims
By the way ... check out our Facebook Page "Lim Farm"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)